I welcome Delegate Kerr. I hope he has an enjoyable and productive stay. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements of the sitting of the House on Thursday, 16 October 2025, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025, referral to committee, to be taken upon the conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, statements on budget 2026 - Department of Enterprise, To…

I thank all Senators for their contributions this afternoon. Senator O'Loughlin, who was joined by many other colleagues, expressed sympathies to our colleague Senator Teresa Costello on her dad's passing. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Senator O'Loughlin also raised the tragic case of Sarah and the autopsy in relation to inhaling deodorants. She commended Sarah's parents, Deirdre and Joe, who donated her organs to save others, and the Senator called for this very important issue to be highlighted and for there…

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Seanad, on its rising on Wednesday, 15th October, 2025, shall adjourn until 9.30 a.m. on Thursday, 16th October, 2025, and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) Commencement Matters shall be taken at 9.30 a.m. in accordance with Standing Order 31; (b) Statement by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, T.D. The proceedings in respect of the Statement by An Taoiseach shall commence at 11 a.m. and shall conclude no later than …

I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 7th October, 2025, be referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in accordance with Standing Order 79(2)( b ), which, not later than 21st October, 2025, shall send a message to the Seanad in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 84, and Standing …

I also welcome the head of mission and Deputy Cahill. I wish all the Spanish citizens living here a happy national day. The Order of Business is No. 1, Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 - Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at 12.30 p.m. and to adjourn at 2.30 p.m., if not previously concluded.

I thank Senators for their contributions. I start by welcoming back Senator Andrews. I know he had a strong advocate in Senator McCormack, who made ample phone calls on Wednesday evening looking for a debate on Thursday, which was facilitated. I acknowledge the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, who came to the House on that. Senator Andrews has been a strong advocate on Gaza and his advocacy and publicity around it are important in highlighting the issues. The Senator mentioned peace and justice issues. We hope we w…

I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for coming in to engage with us on the public expenditure side of the budget. Before I talk about some of the issues, I would like to put on record that the total spend is €109.3 billion. The projected source of that money for next year include: income tax, €38.8 billion; corporation tax, €34.06 billion; VAT, €23.6 billion; excise duties, €6.7 billion; stamp duties, €2 billion; capital gains taxes, €2.1 billion; and other taxes of €2.4 billion. That includes motor tax o…

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on budget 2026, from the Department of Finance, to be taken at 5.30 p.m. and to conclude at 7.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.

I thank all the Senators for their contributions here this morning. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick acknowledged the two-year anniversary of the 7 October attack at the Nova music festival in Israel and called for a meaningful ceasefire, the release of hostages, the release of humanitarian aid and a permanent solution in Gaza. She also commented on budget 2026 and invited people to participate in the festival of history in Dublin. I wish everyone involved well. Senator Manus Boyle raised an issue regarding coastal erosion…

Perhaps she should put one down to get a direct response from the Minister or the Department. Whether the Minister herself comes in or not, somebody will come in on behalf of that Department to give guidance on whether there are any plans in relation to the provisions of pensions, etc. Senator Maria Byrne raised the Bluebird Care carer of the year awards. I acknowledge Paula O'Keeffe and her caring work. Carers up and down the country have a very important role. The Senator also mentioned the basic income for the a…

The Minister of State is very welcome to the Chamber. Over recent years, particularly since 2011, on and off, we have had debates about VAT. The VAT change for our hospitality sector that took place back in the dark days of 2011 was used as a stimulus for that sector. When the then Government tried to find measures to stimulate the economy and to boost job creation, it looked to that to boost jobs, and it worked. I certainly do not see it as being elitist to protect jobs in every town, village and region of our cou…

Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

I will share time with Senator Kelleher.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit chuig an Teach chun na ráitis éigeandála seo a dhéanamh maidir leis an méid atá ag tarlú in Gaza agus sa Mediterranean. The purpose of the flotilla was to bring emergency humanitarian aid to Gaza. It is much-needed aid that the vast majority of people in the world want to see delivered. With its journey on the seas in recent days, the flotilla and the publicity it has received have highlighted its necessity and the reasoning behind it, which is to deliver emergency humanitarian aid…

Next Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming the ambassador. We wish him well for Cyprus's national day. The Order of Business is No. 1, Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 - Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at 1.30 p.m. and to adjourn at 4 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 2, statements on the national social enterprise policy, Trading for Impact, to be taken at 4 p.m. and to conclude at 5.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated for the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minut…

I thank all Senators for their contributions this afternoon to the Order of Business, starting with Senator O'Loughlin, who mentioned Jennie Poole and her brother, Jason, and his advocacy, and welcomed the positive work that has been done on bringing forward legislation in relation to Jennie's law. I look forward to debating that in the course of the coming months. The Senator also mentioned her work colleague, Chloe Ray, and Leah O’Gorman, who has written to a number of people regarding the use of mobile phones, b…

I welcome the Minister of State and acknowledge the presence earlier of the Minister, Deputy Heydon. I wish the Minister well in his involvement in the deliberations relating to the budget. The budget is going to be hugely important for the Irish farming sector and rural Ireland. The first point I want to make relates to Mercosur and free trade deals. Free trade deals are important; they are the essence of the world economy. We have seen the ructions caused across the world over the past number of months as a resul…

Tomorrow morning at 9.30.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Cummins. The Minister of State is welcome. First, I thank the Cathaoirleach’s office for choosing this Commencement matter. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, for coming in. It is good to see the Minister of State with responsibility for the topic present. I am raising this Commencement matter regarding funding for Galway City Council. In doing so, I am conscious of the continuous efforts being made by my colleagues on Galway City Council, including Councill…